🔗 Share this article Wicketkeeper Alex Carey's Sparkling Ton Helps The Hosts Regroup After Early English Ashes Assault. Following that frenzy of the Perth Test as well as the Gabba's day-night spectacle, an outbreak of familiar brand of Test cricket broke out on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the delighted South Australian fans, the day proved one to savour, as their boy the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up an outstanding century at his home turf as Australia the home side edge the first day's play. However, The touring English side, 2-0 down and clinging on in this series, were entirely downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a crucial coin toss and, though not at their best, his bowlers continued plugging away in sweltering conditions. By the close of play, the Australians were 326 for eight off 83 overs bowled – runs on the board but surely short of initial expectations after Pat Cummins won the choice in the morning. Jofra Archer Stands Out For England's Fightback. The most impressive performer among England was speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 from 16 overs were a powerful riposte against some of scrutiny directed at him this past week. On this day he visibly spearheaded the bowling unit, clocking around 88mph (142kph) with the speedometer while providing his captain both accuracy together with clear menace. Only at the end of the day – one over using the second new ball – did he look somewhat jaded. After bounced out Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three balls. Green's golden duck served as a reminder that cricket can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, coming from tepid chip shot to mid-wicket occurring less than a day after securing a massive £1.5m deal in the Indian Premier League. The Keeper's Priceless Innings Steadies The Ship. Alex Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of priceless, peaking at 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three runs and the crowd to rise with a roar. Fresh from that virtuoso outing behind the stumps at the Gabba, his aggressive 106 runs off 143 balls made sure that the post-lunch wobble of 94/4 failed to develop into a full-blown crisis. At 34, Carey is a serious Test match player nowadays. Australia undoubtedly left a few runs out there, however. Absent was that pronounced bounce from the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of nibble if the right area was located. The pitch also offered some turn to Will Jacks, even if his control was that of a part-timer – hence figures of 2/105 off his 20 overs – and the balls he did get to misbehave will encourage Nathan Lyon. Emotional Backdrop with A Late Switch. The day's play was always going to be an emotional day for Australia, coming so soon in the wake of a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. The minute’s silence before the start of play was perfectly observed, followed by musician John Williams performing an emotional version of True Blue. By this stage, the hosts were also forced into an alteration to their stated starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn due to dizziness and sickness in the morning – an apparent recurrence of the vertigo that has intermittently troubled the star batter since he was struck by Archer at Lord’s years back. His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his Test career may be over. Until Carey's arrival, Khawaja had expertly held the innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33/2 before finessing a fine 82 off 126 balls just a day before turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne and 91 with Alex Carey proved crucial. The Tourist's Frustration Continues. Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping heat, this was still another disappointing day from the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his form from the first two Tests, picking up figures of 2/70 off 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 from 15 overs. The Durham bowler was all over the shop when handed sharing the new cherry early on, no-balling five times yet dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a sublime one-handed catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather encapsulated the day's play for both sides: brilliance interspersed with some sloppy play.
Following that frenzy of the Perth Test as well as the Gabba's day-night spectacle, an outbreak of familiar brand of Test cricket broke out on the turf of the Adelaide ground. For the delighted South Australian fans, the day proved one to savour, as their boy the wicketkeeper-batsman notched up an outstanding century at his home turf as Australia the home side edge the first day's play. However, The touring English side, 2-0 down and clinging on in this series, were entirely downbeat. Skipper Ben Stokes had lost what appeared a crucial coin toss and, though not at their best, his bowlers continued plugging away in sweltering conditions. By the close of play, the Australians were 326 for eight off 83 overs bowled – runs on the board but surely short of initial expectations after Pat Cummins won the choice in the morning. Jofra Archer Stands Out For England's Fightback. The most impressive performer among England was speedster Jofra Archer. Figures of three for 29 from 16 overs were a powerful riposte against some of scrutiny directed at him this past week. On this day he visibly spearheaded the bowling unit, clocking around 88mph (142kph) with the speedometer while providing his captain both accuracy together with clear menace. Only at the end of the day – one over using the second new ball – did he look somewhat jaded. After bounced out Jake Weatherald first thing, Archer's first over post-lunch wiped out Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green within just three balls. Green's golden duck served as a reminder that cricket can bring even a celebrated player back to reality, coming from tepid chip shot to mid-wicket occurring less than a day after securing a massive £1.5m deal in the Indian Premier League. The Keeper's Priceless Innings Steadies The Ship. Alex Carey's performance, however, was nothing short of priceless, peaking at 4.48pm when he elegantly drove Ben Stokes through cover for three runs and the crowd to rise with a roar. Fresh from that virtuoso outing behind the stumps at the Gabba, his aggressive 106 runs off 143 balls made sure that the post-lunch wobble of 94/4 failed to develop into a full-blown crisis. At 34, Carey is a serious Test match player nowadays. Australia undoubtedly left a few runs out there, however. Absent was that pronounced bounce from the first two Tests and in its place only a fraction of nibble if the right area was located. The pitch also offered some turn to Will Jacks, even if his control was that of a part-timer – hence figures of 2/105 off his 20 overs – and the balls he did get to misbehave will encourage Nathan Lyon. Emotional Backdrop with A Late Switch. The day's play was always going to be an emotional day for Australia, coming so soon in the wake of a devastating terrorist attack at Bondi. The minute’s silence before the start of play was perfectly observed, followed by musician John Williams performing an emotional version of True Blue. By this stage, the hosts were also forced into an alteration to their stated starting eleven. Veteran batsman Steve Smith was withdrawn due to dizziness and sickness in the morning – an apparent recurrence of the vertigo that has intermittently troubled the star batter since he was struck by Archer at Lord’s years back. His place was taken by Usman Khawaja, a day after it was speculated his Test career may be over. Until Carey's arrival, Khawaja had expertly held the innings steady, coming to the crease with the score on 33/2 before finessing a fine 82 off 126 balls just a day before turning 39. Stands worth 61 runs with Labuschagne and 91 with Alex Carey proved crucial. The Tourist's Frustration Continues. Aside from Archer's efforts, and notwithstanding the energy-sapping heat, this was still another disappointing day from the English bowling attack. Brydon Carse somewhat rolled over his form from the first two Tests, picking up figures of 2/70 off 13 overs, while the recalled Josh Tongue claimed 1/63 from 15 overs. The Durham bowler was all over the shop when handed sharing the new cherry early on, no-balling five times yet dismissing Travis Head for just 10 runs courtesy of a sublime one-handed catch by Zak Crawley in the covers. It rather encapsulated the day's play for both sides: brilliance interspersed with some sloppy play.